The Citizen - Page 6

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Education
pre-K programs
The 2013 survey found wide support
Comparison in the ratings by White,
for Pre-K education programs. This
African-American residents
trend continues in the most recent
survey and provides better context
100%
by examining attitudes specifically
89%
89%
90%
towards programs for children ages
two and younger, programs for
76%
children ages three to five, and equal 80%
74%
71%
access for low income families. The
70%
survey indicates a higher percentage
of Sangamon County residents
60%
believe that programs for children
48%
three to five years old are “very
50%
important” compared to programs
40%
for children ages two and younger,
yet a majority of respondents report
30%
that both types of programs are
either “very important” or
20%
“somewhat important.” When asked
how important, if at all, it is for
10%
children from all income levels to
have access to pre-K services, 92
0%
Programs for
Programs for
Equal access for
percent of survey respondents
children, 2 or
children, 3 to 5
less advantaged
report it is important. On all three
younger
families
items, African-Americans report a
White respondents African-American respondents
higher level of support than white
respondents (see figure).
KEY FINDINGS:
 While Sangamon County residents believe pre-K programs are important for all age
groups and support equal access for less advantaged families, there is mixed support for
what public or private organization(s) should be providing less advantaged families with
access to pre-K programs. Thirty-eight percent of individuals believe it is the “entire
community’s responsibility,” 32 percent believe it is the responsibility of the individual
families, and 21 percent believe it is the responsibility of the local school district.
 Of the roughly 8,000 Sangamon County children ages three to five, an estimated 2,000
(25 percent) are less advantaged.1 Existing programs, including Early Start, which is
Springfield Public School District’s Preschool for All program, and the eight Head Start
sites in the county, appear to reach about two-thirds of this population.
1
Data is available through Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s population projections.